Has anyone used the 8" Discmount tripod extension on their DM6 or DM4? How do you like it? Is it stable? Still stable with a strong breeze? Have you found it necessary for getting the scope to the zenith? If anyone opted for the tall Discmount tripod instead of the standard tripod with the extension, why did you choose it and how has it worked out?

Ray: I've used Tom's extension with the DM6. It works fine. Quite stable, and helpful keeping the OTA (A-P 155EDFS) away from the tripod (Rob Miller 36M) when I'm near zenith. That being said, I now use the Astro-Physics extension, which is lighter and more rigid. Costlier, though not crazy expensive.

I have the DM4 8 inch extension. Works fine. I have DM6 on a Losmandy to DM6 adapter sitting on top of a 12 inch Losmandy extension on a Planet with a Losmandy bracket. I bought a used DM6 with these parts and it works well. It works out to be 14 inches of rise above the Planet tripod which is good for my TEC-140.

Jim,

I am curious about the AP extension. How does it mate to the Rob Miller Tri36M? Do you have the part number of the AP extension?

I had the tall DM6 tripod, found it great, very lightweight (carry out of the house in one hand) and solid but a little too tall for me (I could not read the Sky Commander on top of the DM6) so I cut the legs by three inches to a height that was better for me. The only issue is when the scope was at zenith it might hit a leg depending on the position of the scope/leg.
I also used a Meade field tripod/Losmandy MA adapter and Losmandy 12" extension rig which had more clearance at zenith but was much heavier.
Depending on the weight of the scope (maybe up to 20 lbs) the standard DM6 tripod and 8" extension would probably be ideal, above that weight, I would recommend a Losmandy HD tripod/w Losmandy 12" extension for best results.
Rex

I use the DM6 8" extension with a DM6, An Astro-Physics AWT000 tripod, ans a 130mm f6.3 refractor. It is very, very solid. Winds strong enough to make dob users unhappy do not make a noticeable difference with this setup.

The bars in the extension are helpful as a handle. The extension does make it easier to look higher in the sky, but is not essential. Mostly, it raises the eyepiece when you are working high in the sky. If needed, you can reposition the SkyCommander if it gets too high.

I purchased a 4 inch Discmount, tripod, and extension this spring at NEAF. I was concerned that putting an extension on the tripod might make the mount a little less stable, but I was wrong. The combination is rock steady. A huge improvement over my Gibraltar. I didn't want the tall tripod because the smaller footprint of the standard tripod lets me keep it a ready-to-go configuration in my space-limited garage.

A very short OTA might work well without the extension, but with a longer scope like my TV 102, it's an essential accessory.